Scouts Drop Season Opener

Photo by Matt Gunn Bridger Scout Tryston Matt drops back to pass during the opening game agianst Savage.

By

Matt Gunn - Sports Reporter

The Bridger Scouts opened their season against the Savage Warriors. While the Scouts have consistently been one of the top teams in their division, the Warriors have consistently been one of the top teams in the state. With a top team coming into town, the Scouts would have their hands full for their first test of the year. The Scouts offense would open up the game with a very different look. Graduating a lot of big bodies, and their top running back, the Scouts would show a much different look.

Tryston Matt who was part of a quarterback by committee last season, took the reins on his own going into his senior year. The Scouts started off the game with a few good plays, showing that they could do some damage, but not coming up with any points on the possession. With the Warriors getting their first opportunity, they methodically marched down the field, eventually scoring on a 15 yard touchdown play.

The next few possessions for each team ended in turnover on downs, until Savage was able to mount another drive, leading to a goal line touchdown. Things would only get worse before they got better when the Scouts had a halfback pass get picked and returned all the way to the goal line. After Savage punched it in taking a 24-0 lead early in the 2nd quarter, the Scouts lit a fire of their own. Sparked by a 3rd and long shovel pass to Jimmy Kelsey to move the chains, the Scouts would get rolling. Tryston Matt would scramble for a couple of first downs before tossing a 25 yard pass to Austin Riddle for a touchdown.

The Scouts defense would also step up forcing a Warriors fumble, giving the Scouts the ball on the Warriors side of the field. Tryston Matt would strike again, scrambling to buy time before tossing his second touchdown of the game. However, the Warriors didn’t waste any time to strike back, taking the ensuing kickoff to the house to take a 33-12 lead. The Scouts fumbled on their next possession, but the defense held strong forcing the Warriors to attempt a 40 yard field goal that would just miss short. The Scouts would once again take a shot at cutting into the lead, sustaining a long drive that would end with a halfback pass for a touchdown to bring the score to 32-18. However, the Warriors wouldn’t let up scoring on 40 yard touchdown run.

The Scouts would do their best to answer back on their next possession with only 45 seconds left in the half.

Picking up small chunks at a time, Wyatt Schroeder eventually busted loose on a dump pass, taking it 40 yards only to be stopped on the one yard line with no time left on the clock. With Savage holding onto a 40-18 lead going into the half, the video game like numbers would come to a stop.

The Scouts wouldn’t be able to come up with another touchdown, and the Warriors would come away with a 56-18 win.